“If everyone learns the truth today, you’ll never look at me the same way again.”
For a moment, I couldn’t speak. Even Robert stared at his mother in disbelief.
“Mom, what truth are you talking about?”
Martha lowered her head.
“I know I’ve said terrible things about Emily. I’ve humiliated her in front of everyone. But you don’t know why.”
Anger rushed through me again.
“What possible reason could justify telling the entire neighborhood that I was starving you?”
“Because I was terrified you’d eventually send me away.”
I stared at her.
“So you decided to turn everyone against me?”
She nodded, tears running down her cheeks.
“I thought if the neighbors believed I was being mistreated, you’d be too ashamed to put me in a nursing home.”
Linda covered her mouth.
“Martha! You told us Emily was making your life miserable!”
“I lied,” Martha whispered.
